The Vacant Chair by Alan Stevens

I like this painting!

That's what I like, an artist with a sense of humour and can produce a good painting. Well done.

Yes, I agree with the above - so well done. Is it pastel? The towel looks real!

Thanks for your comments. I am not entirely happy with it. The back squab is too flat and the 'towel' was a sheet (didn't work did it?). But it was a good exercise and one I'll repeat - maybe with a kimono or something colourful over the chair back. I like the corner of the leather seat - it's my favourite bit - there are four colours on that little corner. It is a pastel Jeanette. I'm not clever enough with paint yet. I have been advised by a couple of people (thanks Phil) to concentrate on what I do best before moving on, so I'm trying to introduce more colour and to get more 'painterly'.

I think this painting is really great, It's the background, I think if it was lightened ; a little bit lighter than the chair, it would look better. (That's my opinion).

Thanks for the critisism Lorraine - always welcome. I'll try that. I've already decided that the picture isn't going anywhere so I'll experiment on it. Maybe lighten the back and floor and use an eraser to 'draw' in the chair's shadow.

I love the way you have depicted the wood, it looks real with that lighter shiny patina.

lovely........agree with above comments........

Hey Alan this is lovely the sheet/towel looks alright to me...using pastels is considered painting...and it's not an easy medium...you work with them so well

lovely background and i like the the folds in the sheet

Thanks for the comment Anita. Always appreciated. Do you have a gallery - I couldn't find one.

Hi Alan. Been looking through your gallery and I am impressed! Would that I could do as you do....but the aim is always there, so I live in hope. You take such pains to get it right and your overall effect is always so good. Re your comment on this painting, the saying that comes to mind is 'The whole is more than the sum of its parts' Not sure I quote accurately, but it's what I'm trying to say about this piece of work, because I like it very much, back squab (misalignment or whatever) and all. It's a good composition. I'm interested too about the 'diversify or stick to what you're good at' issue, can't make my mind up about it.